OT - but we'll be in Disney in 31 days!

[joemo]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me.

My DS is six and for since last August or so has had 7 or 8 round , blister like spots on his tummy and at the top of his legs. We took him to the doctor who said it was a ‘viral infection’ nothing could be done but they might last for a year. Another boy at his childminders had them too.

Well they started speeding so took him back the doctors, a different person said the same thing, so we decided just to ignore it and hope they went away.

Here we are 7 months down the line and they are just getting worse! The original ones have faded, but there are even more coming through - 3 new big ones on his tummy and some little ones round his willy just this week. Don’t really want to take him back to the doctors as we’ve already had two say that its nothing. But apparently they are really itchy. We're coming to Disney next month and DS is saying that he hopes no one looks at his spots - though I hope the sun will help them.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to stopping the itching or clearing up these damm things? They just look so awful and must itch like mad.

Thanks

 

[missymagic]

did you take him to a Dermatologist?? Sometimes they have something for them other than what the Pediatrician recommends. Mine will even give samples so you dont have to spend the money in case they have a reaction.

 

[joemo]

Haven't yet, as we would need to be referred by the doctor.

Its something to consider though.

 

[llp479]

Sounds like it may be caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. After having them as a child, my sister will still occassionally break out with the same type of thing. She also gets them in her throat! The doctor suggested she take L-lysine. It's an amino acid that apparently can help the flare ups. She said it has helped tremendously. It won't cause any harm, and can't hurt to try it. You can get it here in the States at any drug store without a prescription. It's in with the vitamins. Check with your chemist to see if they have it.

Good luck!

 

[joemo]

Thanks!

 

[mkutch]

Don't wait for the doctor to offer the referral. Ask for it. If your child is itching and in discomfort the doctor shouldn't ignore it. When I'm not comfortable with the diagnosis from the doctor I ask for a referral to a specialist and say, "just to be sure and rule everything else out" especially if the symptoms are causing discomfort or suffering ( no matter how mild). Now in the case I would definitely push it especially if I had a Disney trip on the line. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[joemo]

Thanks, but here is Scotland we can only get referred if the doctor writes a letter to the specialist - unless you go private. I was lucky enough to have private health care with my old job (not for the whole family and no longer unfortunately). First visit to the Dermatologist 4 years ago for a 15 minute chat was billed as £300 - that’s £1200 per hour! Nice work if you can get it! So we won't be doing that I'm afraid.

Someone at work has recommended Manuka honey so I will try that first.

Thanks for all your helpful replies, I will advise the outcome!

 

[KimR]

Sounds like it could possibly be impetigo which is a bacterial infection and could be helped with antibiotics. You might want to google 'impetigo' and see if this sounds like what your DS has.

 

[castle_now_please]

My cousins little boy has red bumps on his face and have been there for a while. It was diagnosed as a virus. After her 5 year old drawing a self portrait and including his "dots" on his face, she took him to a dermatologist. Ther Derm. "burned" them off. They have come back and he has had to have to procedure repeated. The Dr. said it could take 5 yrs. for the to totally go away.

 

[joemo]

Thanks everyone for your help. We are trying the manuka honey, and although its only been two days the spots look a lot less angry and appear to be fading (or melting as DS says!)

Early days yet but I'm hopeful.

 

[joemo]

Just a quick update. Have applied Manuka honey to DS’s spots – the results have been truly amazing.

After almost 3 weeks most of the spots have faded to faint dots, the bad ones are just red spots fading daily, no new ones at all!! After 7 months of worry this is just such a relief, DS will be swimming and enjoying his holiday without feeling self conscious.

I got a tube of the honey (in ointment form) from a local health food shop, it cost £11.50 (about $20), apparently it is good for all skin problems. It was a bit sticky but DS was very good and put up with it, he had a bath every morning.

Thank you so much everyone here for your helpful advice.